Peter Larmouth - Low Back Pain, Ligament Stabilisation

I went to see my own Dr. M. Elder, in 1994, about 18 months after my keyhole surgery with Mr. Miller. I had quite a lot of back pain and he prescribed some strong pain killers. At this time I did not want to goona waiting list to see Mr. Miller again, as I was frightened that they would operate and fuse my back together. At the age of 31 this did not seem a good option! I really did suffer pain and I was unable to work or play. My life had really become non-existent, for me, my children and my wife.

In December of 1995 I decided that I must do something! I was in that much pain that, to be perfectly honest, I couldn't have cared if I had ended up in a wheelchair, as long as the pain would stop! I couldn't sleep or do anything, it was at that instant that I decided to see Dr. Elder again, who put me on a different pain killer and on the waiting list for Mr. Miller.

After not hearing anything for a couple of weeks my wife, Debbie, telephoned Mr. Millers secretary to find out any information, as I was in extreme pain. The secretary explained Mr. Miller was a busy man, which we can totally agree with, unfortunately that did not help us! She suggested that Debbie telephone my G.P.

Debi then telephoned the doctors straight away. She spoke to the receptionist, who then gave Debi a time to phone back. Debi explained everything to Dr. Elder, who was shocked as he put in his letter how urgent Peter was. Dr Elder said leave it with him and he would telephone Mr. Miller personally!

We got a telephone call from the hospital the next day. They gave us an appointment date, which was only 9 days later to see Mr. Krishna. The following day we received a letter with a questionnaire to fill in from the hospital. I felt very nervous during this time. I went for my appointment on the 26th March 1996. I immediately felt at ease with Mr. Krishna, he seemed to be the only consultant who actually listened to everything and answered all of my questions. From seeing Mr. Krishna to being admitted into hospital was 19 days.

On Sunday 14th April 1996 I was admitted to ward 32. I felt a little nervous as Mr. Krishna had explained that there could be complications with the operation, but my doubts were washed aside when Mr. Krishna himself came onto the ward to see me. He explained all about the operation, about the screws that he was going to insert into my spine - the lot!

Monday 15th April 1996. The big day that I had dreaded for years had finally come! There was no turning back,I had starved from the night before, here we go! I went down to theatre at 9am and slept the day away! Unfortunately for Debi it was a long day. She started telephoning the hospital just after 12 noon but did not find out any information until 2.40pm. She came up to the hospital at 5pm. I was still in recovery, but Debi said she just had to see me, whether I was asleep or not. She was pleased that Mr. Krishna came up to the ward, he spoke to Debi which put her mind atrest.

Tuesday16 th April 1996. I was uncomfortable, but I no sciatic pain in my leg, which was unbelievable. Mr. Krishna came round to make sure I was alright. When Debi came she was amazed at how much I had come round and how high my moral was. Mr. Krishna came round again and said right away. "Debi you get the cathita, I will get your spinal drain, come on Peter lets see you walk!!" We couldn't believe our ears. But I got of that bed and walked around the ward, it was fantastic! I had total faith in Mr. Krishna and, that is what made all the difference in the world because, he also had faith in me.

Wednesday 17th April 1996. The physio team came round and fitted me with a corset. Debi was totally surprised when she came into visit and I was sat up in a chair. I felt on top of the world, for all I was feeling a little discomfort in my back it was nothing to the pain I had on the Sunday before the operation.

Thursday 18th April 1996. I telephoned Debi to say I would be allowed home, we could not believe the news as we thought I would be in hospital for at least 10 days. Debi then had to rush around as we had not even thought about how we would cope in the house. She went out and bought two banisters for the stairs, because before the operation I just crawled up the stairs. She then had to find a joiner to fit them. Unfortunately if we thought about it before the social services could have helped. They come along with the joiner and banisters in hand, never mind! The next problem for Debi was a chair, I could not sit in chair prior to the operation, so we needed an orthopedic chair. Nobody could help with that. Luckily for us our friend came up with one of them. I was in a little discomfort when I got home and felt a little out of my depth. But Debi was a great help.

Saturday 20th April 1996. I telephoned ward 32 because Debi was aware of discharge on my dressing and I had a little heat around the base of my scar. When they took my dressing off there was an infection at the bottom of my scar. I was a little concerned, to say the least, but, as Debi said, Mr. Krishna did explain that it could get infected. They changed my dressing and gave me some antibiotics. I was told to come back on Monday so that Mr. Krishna could examine it.

Sunday 21st April 1996. I telephoned ward 32 again as my dressing was very uncomfortable and I was worried, Debi also said there was a large discharge! They just told me to come up and they would change the dressing. We had to wait a while but finally got my dressing changed and went home. I was feeling a little nervous and it was hot!

Monday 22nd April 1996. ONE WEEK SINCE THE OPERATION! I went to the hospital at 11am, when they had told me to go. Unfortunately nobody could help me, it was as if I was not supposed to be there! I saw Mr. Eldease, who did not seem to be too worried about it, and he put a new dressing on. He said t ocome back on Tuesday, just to get my dressing changed. I was not a happy man!

Tuesday 23rd April 1996. We went to the hospital, as we had been told to do. Yet again they changed my dressing, though I felt uncomfortable, as if I should not be there! As we were leaving the hospital Mr. Krishna saw us and sent us straight down to his clinic! When he saw my scar he said he was a little concerned about it and he wanted to keep a close eye on it. We had to come to the hospital every day to see somebody and he would see me again on Thursday. I felt a bit better for seeing Mr. Krishna!

Wednesday 24th April 1996. I went to ward 32, as I had been told to. They sent us to ward 33 as there had been a bug on ward 32, what a difference! They seemed more organised to deal me than ward 32. I explained the situation to the nurse, when she took my dressing off she took a swab and cleaned the scar. My wound had never been cleaned or anything done before, they seemed a little shocked at this! Mr. Krishna came up and I explained to him that I felt uneasy as everybody was giving me a different view. I had Mr. Eldease telling me not to worry and to come back in a couple of days, the sister on ward 32 arranging the deputy sister from my own doctors to come and change my dressings, then Mr. Krishna telling me he was concerned. I was feeling very uneasy! Mr. Krishna got everybody concerned together and told them I was to go to the hospital for my dressing to be changed everyday until he said any different. This is what I did and that made me feel better. I arranged to go at times that were best for the nurses, as they have a job to do, I was at ease as the infection was going away.

Thursday 2nd May 1996. I went in, as per normal, to get my dressing changed, but they put something different on my wound as nothing had changed for a couple of days. They said just to come in as normal at 9am in the morning.

Friday 3rd May 1996. I went to the hospital to get my dressing changed. As I as there Mr. Krishna and Mr. Eldease had a little talk about cutting the infection out of my back. This concerned me as I was feeling a little down, I was sick of the infection. They said they would operate and I was admitted to ward 32. I just had a local anaesthetic and Debi picked me up around 4.30pm. I was very sore! My back felt worse than after the operation and I was told to go back on Monday 13th May. The time that followed was good, I was feeling better by the day, though I must admit the stitches were getting very sore. I was concerned in-case they were going poisonous.

Monday 13th May 1996. I went to the hospital a little worried about them taking the dressing off. I can not explain how I felt when they said it looked fine. Just really pleased in one respect but, in the other, I feel as if I've been left in limbo, as I've had no physio. It feels like the operation was so long ago, my quality of life has changed so much so quickly and Debi has to remind me that it isn't that long.

Friday 14th May 1996. I went to see Mr. Krishna. He seemed really pleased with the operation. I had a few questions to ask him, like "what about exercise?" He replied with as much as your back will allow, he also showed me a few exercises to do and a form for the physio, which I was pleased about! I feel that fit that I feel well enough to be doing something, I don't have to see Mr. Krishna for 3 weeks. My back still hurts if I do something over the top, but I really do feel like a new man. My family can not believe the difference already and I have the rest of my life hopefully with my back intact.

Thank You Mr. Krishna. I would tell anyone to have this operation, it really does work and I am living proof.